Maharashtra’s new EV policy is aiming for a whopping 30 per cent adoption rate by the year 2030. I know, seems ambitious, right? But hey, dream big or go home, am I right?
So, this policy kicked off on April 1, 2025, and will run until March 31, 2030. What does it include, you ask? Well, mandatory EV-charging infrastructure in new residential buildings, toll exemptions for EV users, and much more. The state is on a mission to slash 325 tonnes of PM 2.5 emissions and 1,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases from the transport sector within the next five years. Talk about going green!
Under this policy, incentives of up to Rs 2 lakh for electric four-wheelers and Rs 20 lakh for electric buses are up for grabs. Can you imagine cruising around in an electric car with that much cash in your pocket? Sounds like a sweet deal to me.
And wait for it, EVs registered during this policy period will enjoy a motor vehicle tax and registration renewal fees exemption. Plus, a 100 per cent toll exemption awaits EV users on the Mumbai-Pune and Mumbai-Nashik expressways. Easy breezy, right?
To top it off, a steering committee led by the chief secretary will be looking into phased tax exemptions for EVs on other roads managed by the Public Works Department. Sounds like they’ve got everything covered.
Charging infrastructure is getting a boost as well. EV charging stations will be popping up every 25 km along highways, with at least one charging point at every government office parking area. Public charging stations will receive funding to cover up to 15 per cent of installation costs. Talk about convenience!
If you’re thinking of building a new residential building, better make sure it’s EV charging ready. And commercial buildings? Well, they need to allocate 50 per cent of parking spaces for EV charging. Existing buildings with shared parking? Yep, they need to equip 20 per cent of spaces with chargers. It’s all about being prepared for the electric future.
The policy also mandates that all new vehicles purchased for city travel by government departments must be electric. And in major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Amravati, half of city utility vehicles procured must be electric. Looks like the state is serious about this green transition.
Support for research and development in alternative battery technologies, motor technology, vehicle-to-grid integration, and green hydrogen production will be provided through a Rs 15 crore Chief Minister’s EV R&D Grant. Innovation at its finest!
The transport department will set up a network of Automated Testing Stations to ensure the safety of EVs, including thermal runaway battery testing. Safety first, right?
And last but not least, the Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE) will be offering specialized courses covering EV design, battery technology, charging infrastructure, power electronics, and energy management. It’s all about staying ahead of the curve.
So, there you have it, folks. Maharashtra is gearing up for an electric future, and it looks like they’ve got all the bases covered. Let’s see if they can hit that 30 per cent adoption target by 2030. Fingers crossed!
